originally posted on 11/10/2025
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
On what turned out to be a rainy, cold, windy October 19th in Mason, Ohio, nearly 100 members and their guests came out to ERScream! at Kings Island, the first regional event held at the park since 2016.
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
Photo: Heather Orr. View full-sized image.
Photo: Robert Reed. View full-sized image.
The relationship between Kings Island and ACE dates back to 1979 and the opening of The Beast. That first year, more than 100 members from far and wide traveled to the park to experience the new ride, and Kings Island’s public relations manager, Ruth Voss, invited members to join her for a walkback and first ride of the day on what has become a coaster phenomenon.
Photo: Heather Orr. View full-sized image.
Photo: Jenn Fortney. View full-sized image.
The onride photos couldn’t hide the effects of the rain.
Photo: Grace Kelley collection. View full-sized image.
So it was only fitting that ACE continue that longstanding tradition during ERScream! by getting walked back to the ACE Roller Coaster Landmark for morning ERT. And although the schedule called for only 30 minutes, the park kept the ride open for a full hour, letting attendees get as many rides as they wanted with absolutely no wait.
After a few rides on other some other coaster favorites also open for passholder ERT (Diamondback, Mystic Timbers, Great Pumpkin Coaster and Woodstock Express), the group gathered for a quick photo in front of the park’s iconic Eiffel Tower before being set free into a park where the weather kept everything at walk-on waits.
Racer.
Photo: Robert Reed. View full-sized image.
Don Helbig’s QR code is scanned from his badge during the Racer Ride-a-Thon. Attendees’ unique codes were scanned after each ride to count their total rides.
Photo: Robert Reed. View full-sized image.
Quite possibly the highlight of ERScream!, however, was an hour-long coaster marathon on the park’s other ACE Roller Coaster Landmark, Racer. The marathon began with ACE member and Racer-riding world record holder Don Helbig leading the way through the queue for the first ride. In total, attendees logged 216 total rides.
An afternoon meal was served in the Picnic Grove, consisting of pulled pork, baked rigatoni, various sides and dessert, and a regional general store was open selling items to fundraise for the purchase of a button maker.
Jon Roost.
Photos: Jenn Fortney. View full-sized image.
Tony Carovillano.
View full-sized image.
Anne Irvine and Brian Ondrey.
View full-sized image.
After a few thank-yous and messages from Eastern Great Lakes Regional Rep Jon Roost, a trio of guest speakers entertained attendees. Park Manager Tony Carovillano of Kings Island shared some great background and interesting Kings Island information, and Anne Irvine and Brian Ondrey of Irvine-Ondrey Engineering shared their passion for coasters and their favorite moments from working in the industry. The speakers were presented with homemade acrylic plaques as a thank you.
Ride-a-Thon winners, Jude Konecki and Daniel Glauser.
Photo: Robert Reed. View full-sized image.
Finally, the winners of the Racer Ride-a-Thon were announced, with a five-way tie for first place at 11 rides each. After a difficult trivia question tie-breaker, Daniel Glauser and Jude Konecki were named the winners, and both received awards.
The rain was persistent but didn’t dampen attendees’ enthusiasm for the first regional event at Kings Island since 2016.
Photo: Robert Reed. View full-sized image.
Although the park’s hours were cut short after the meal owing to the poor weather, the Eastern Great Lakes Region’s big return to Kings Island was a huge success and a hoped-for start of a renewed relationship between the park and the region. Gratitude was expressed to Maddie Shuckert, Melissa Kempf, Abigail Kemper, Elizabeth Nadeau and Tony Clark of Six Flags for their assistance in hosting; Tony Carovillano, Anne Irvine and Brian Ondrey for speaking; and the Eastern Great Lakes regional rep team and all of the volunteers who helped make this event possible.
— Jon Roost, ACE Eastern Great Lakes Regional Representative
#ACENews